New Project. All input appreciated!!

Hey guys I'm new to the site and new to the V-20 lifestyle, which after looking around this site I realize it is truly a lifestyle. I recently inherited a '79 V-20 Cuddy that needs a good rebuild. So far for sure I know it needs a transom. I have a guy locally who will replace it for me for $500 if I remove the motor and have it ready to go. However I'm a hands on kind of guy and would love to do it myself. I've been looking around and have seen the Nida Core Pour method. What are your thoughts on that. Seems like a good way to reduce the wood content in the boat which sounds like a good idea to me. I haven't had a chance to really look under the floor and see what all it really needs but the gel coat on the floor is all "spiderwebbed" I guess you could call it. So I'm assuming floor replacement might be in order which would probably lead me to rebuilding stringers and all. I guess we'll see. Also the big plan I really need opinions on is the idea of ditching the cuddy and making the V a center console. I've always wanted a CC and ideally going and buying one would be easier but I like the design of this hull and it being handed down from family makes it mean a lot more to me. If this sounds like more work than its worth ill just probably put some sort of tower on it and be happy with what I have. Like I said I'm open to opinions because frankly I'm pretty novice at this stuff. Doing fiberglass work doesn't scare me as I've been doing custom car bodies for years so I have the patients for it. Thanks for reading and hopefully I can get this ball rolling soon. I will be sure to keep everyone updated and post plenty of pics, or boat porn as some say. Thanks guys.

[billymoca]

Welcome to the site! I am in the process of completely rebuilding my '80 V20 right now. I found that every piece of wood in my boat that was rotten. I decided to do a complete rebuild, but I removed all the interior skins and recored with plywood, than new glass with epoxy resin. Before investing in a pour in transom rebuild, i would seriously look at the stringers to see if they need to be replaced also. if the floor has spider cracks, that means the water will be between the layers of wood. possible source of rot. I found that everywhere there was spider cracks, the wood underneath was wet and in some places rotten (even though it was covered for months!). Your boat will have flotation foam under the deck. if that is wet or water logged, that is alot of extra weight. so if you do the floor you may need to replace some or all your foam. the drainage on these boats is lame, so that may be something to look at too. I am increasing all my drainage, and changing the in floor boxes.

This site has been a great help to me, lots of rebuilds here and we all love our boats. look at previous threads, you will find lots of info. Please keep us update with photos! We love lusting after others! and as always, if you have questions by all means ask! It is great to see someone else passionate about these boats.

BTW - you may already know this but.... B.O.A.T. means Break Out Another Thousand. just beware!

oh yeah - I have a CC.... keeping it that way, I like it. There are those who have done conversions on this site, I am sure they will chime in. It is identical hulls between the two, and the CC is lighter.

PS: where are you? (generally)

I am in Mathews County Va. I know it's going to be a long and expensive project but I think the end result will be worth it. I also have a John Allmand I have been planning on rebuilding (not nearly as much work needed) but I think this one is taking priority. The Allmand might have to wait.

[draglink]

WELCOME!! I was at New Point on the 4th!

New Point is the place to be. Hopefully I'll have her done by next summer so I can get out there some.

Going to try and pick the ol girl up tomorrow. Not sure if the trailers going to road worthy. But anywho I will post up some before pics and see what y'all think its worth.

[GREYWOLF]

Welcome to the site , lots of info. here we love photos

[kamikaze]

DRT

If you have someone who will do the job right or 500.00 jump on it. I just did a 1974 North American C-17. (Smaller transom size) And it took 8 gallons of nida core at a cost of 400.00 never mind it's a messy job chain sawing the core out. Much like you I wanted to do the job myself but after going through the process it goes pretty much like all the post say. Messy job, painful extraction of lower level of the wood core, when pouring yes it will flow out of every nook any cranny possible (my only advice would be to use hvac metal tape works well as temporary gap sealer for holes), and its rock solid once cured.

Kamikaze

Well the $500 isn't using nida core. He's just going to replace the wood. I guess I'll make a final decision when I get it home and really look it over. If the stringers and floor are going to need replacing I've thought about separating the cap and just hitting it all at once. If its just the transome I'll probably get him to do it. Buy with the cracks in the floor I think the floor will need attention.

Also the boat has a Johnson VRO 150 on it. Can anyone tell me how to determine the year. My father in law just said its around a 90.